Adhesive applying device



Dec. 7, 1937. P. ARNDT ADHESIVE APPLYING DEVICE Filed Aug. 14, 1936 Y.alu 44 M1657 gio ATTO/@NEX atented Dec. 7, l1937 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 14 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates generally to apparatus for applying iiuentadhesive material to labels or the like and lifting the same from alabel stack for application upon articles to be labeled. The inventionrelates more particularly to certain improvements in the adhesiveapplying devices used in connection with said apparatus. Y

4In my pending application Serial Number 25,993, filed June 11, 1935, Ishow an apparatus for lifting one label at a time from a label stack toa position where it can -be conveniently removed and applied to anarticle to be labeled. The apparatus embodies a pair of spacedcontainers which are mounted for swinging moyement onto the marginaledges of the uppermost label of the label stack, and which contains auent adhesive. The adhesive applying surfaces of said containers aresupplied with adhesive through a plurality of small openingscommunieating between said surfaces and the interiors of the containers.Thus the engagement of the adhesive applying surfaces with the marginaledges of the labels cause the adherence of vsaid label thereto.Accordingly when the containers are swung away from the label stack itwill be obvious how the uppermost label is lifted from the stack to aposition where it may be removed and applied to an article.

Although the foregoing method of applying acl- 30 hesive to and liftingthe labels has proved quite satisfactory, certain disadvantages haveattended the application of the adhesive material to the label edges.For instance, when the containers are swung to their uppermost positionthe level of the uent adhesive therein assumes a horizontal position,.and the fluid head is gradually increased from the forward to therearward ends of the-containers. Obviously, the quantity of adhesivematerial admitted to the adhesive applying 40 surfaces varies from theforward to the rearward ends of said surfaces when the containers areangularly disposed. This uneven application of the adhesive material tothe adhesive applying surfaces is undesirable, since it results in anonuniform application of adhesive to the label edges. 4

It is an object of the invention to provide an adhesive applying deviceof the character referred to, with means associated therewith forensuring the uniform application of the adhesive material onto theadhesive applying surface; and to further provide means for controllingthe quantity of adhesive supplied to the adhesive ape plying surface.

.another object of the invention the provision of an adhesive applyingdevice which will uniformly apply a fluent adhesive to a surface, andwhich is positive and accurate in its actuation.

The uniform application of adhesive material to the adhesive applyingsurfaces. of the containers .might be accomplished byv providinggraduated openings in the bottoms of said containers.Y That is, bygradually decreasing the size of the openings from the forward ends ofthe containers to the rearward ends thereof. However such arrangement isimpractical, since it is often desired to employ adhesive materials ofdiierent viscosities, and although one set of graduated openings mightsuffice to accommodate one adhesive material, they might be entirelyunsatisfactory for accommodating adhesives of cliierent viscositics.

It is accordingly another object of the invention to provide an adhesiveapplying device which will accommodate fluent adhesive materials ofdierent viscosities and which is provided with means for ensuring theiruniform application upon the adhesive applying member of said device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a container for:duent adhesive material, and which has an exterior adhesive applyingsurface with openings leading therefrom to its interior, said containeralso having means associated therewith for rendering some of theopenings non-communicative with the body of adhesive material within thecontainer, whereby to prevent the ow of adhesive material onto the areaof the adhesive applying surface embodying said openings.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a partition withinthe container, which forms a fluid tight seal with the inner surfacesthereof and which is adjustable for altering the confines of theadhesive material therein, whereby to limit the application of adhesivematerial onto that portion of the adhesive applying surface lyingbeneath the body of adhesive material.

A further object of the invention resides in means for mounting thecontainer on its movable support, whereby to eiect a uniform applicationof adhesive upon the surface engaged by the adsive applying surface ofthe container.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objectswhich will be made more easily apparent from a consideration of theembodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and forming part ofthe present specification. I shall now proceed to describe this form indetail, which illustrates the general principles of the counter-weight.

of the invention; but it is to be understood that this description isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention isbest defined in the appended claims. l

In the drawing:

Figure l is an isometric view of an apparatus for applying adhesive toand lifting labels, and which embodies my present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the containersfor adhesive illustrated in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the container shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated byline I-I of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary 4sectional view taken asl indicatedby line B-i of Figure 2.

Referring more in particular to Figure 1 of the drawing, I show a pairof spaced containers il) and I I for fluent adhesive material. Thecontainers are supported on arms I2 and I 3 respectively for swingingmovement toward and away from a label stack Il, and are spaced for exi-ygagement with the marginal ends of the labels. The adhesive applyingsurfaces of the containers are supplied with adhesive material in amanner hereinafter fully described, and the engagement of said surfaceswith the label ends serves to apply the adhesive material thereto. Thelabels are lifted from the stack by virtue of their adherence to theadhesive applying surfaces of the containers. The purpose of such adevice is to apply adhesive to and lift one label at a time from a labelstack, to a position where it can be conveniently removed and applied toan article to be labeled. Such a device is fully disclosed in my pendingapplication hereinbefore identified. The present invention relatesprimarily to means for ensuring the uniform application of the adhesiveto the adhesive applying surfaces of the containers, and also to meansfor ensuring the uniform application of adhesive to the label edges fromsaid adhesive applying surfaces. l

'Ihe supporting arms` I2 and Il for the containers are connected to arocker bar l5 through the collars Il and I1 formed on the rearward endsof the arms. Said arms are provided with rearwardly extending portionsI8 and Il, which carry a counter-weight 2l for the purpose ofcounterbalancing the -containers l0 and il together with their contents.The counter-weight is adJustably secured to the extended portions Il andIl of the arms by bolts 2|, which extend through' elongated slots 22 insaid extended portions and are threaded into the opposite ends Therocker bar i! is pivotally supported at opposite ends in supportingmembers 24 extending upwardly from the table 2U.

The movement of the containers III and Il toward the label stack mightbe effected as shown in my pending application, in which a series ofoperating connections are provided between the supporting frame for thecontainers and a track upon which the containers are moved into and outof label applying position (not shown in this case). Said operatingconnections are acted upon by the articles to be labeled as they moveaway from label 'applying position, for effecting the movement of thecontainers onto the label stack.' However, numerous methods other thanthat just described might be provided for moving the containers onto thelabel stack F01' Pm'- poses of explanation I have shown an operating arm28 connected at one end to the rocker arm l5 through the collar 21formed thereon. 'Ihe opposite end of said arm is pivotallyconnected asat 2| to a rod 2l which passes through an opening I0 in the table 25.Said rod might form one of the operating connections shown in my pendingapplication, or might form a part of any suitable arrangement for movingthe containers onto the label stack. In the drawing the counterweight 2lserves to lift the containers away from the label stack, which lsmaintained in position by the guide members 3l secured to the table 25.

. The construction of the containers for the fluent adhesive isidentical and only one is shown in detail for purposes of explanation.It includes sides 3| and I2, ends ll and Il, and a bottom Ii having anexterior adhesive applying surface 3i. The bottom I5 is provided withlongitudinal rows of spaced openings 31, through which the fluentadhesive material is adapted lto ooze onto the adhesive applying surface38 from the interior of the container. 'Ihe adhesive material assumesthe form of protuberances from the mouths of the container openings whenthe containers are out of engagement with the label stack. When thecontainers are moved onto the marginal edges of the uppermost label, thelabel adheres to the adhesive protuberances and is thereby lifted uponmovement of the containers away from the label stack.

Theuniform application of adhesive material to the label edges isdesirable in order to facilitate the application of the labels upon thecontainers to be labeled. Accordingly, it is important that theadhesive. material be uniformly supplied to the adhesive applyingsurfaces of the containers. Obviously, when the containers are movedaway from the label stack to their upward label-removing position shownin Figure 1,-the level of the fluent adhesive in said con.

tainers assumes a horizontal position. Accordingly, the fluid head isgradually increased from lthe forward to the rearward ends of thecontainers, which results ln a graduated fluid pressure on the openingsin the bottoms of such containers. In providing a plurality of capillaryopenings of uniform size in the bottoms of the containers such as isshown in my pending application hereinbefore identied, it will beobvious that the ilow of adhesive material through said openings will begreatest toward the rearward ends of the containers when said containersare --in their raised position, due to thev increased iluid pressure atthe rearward ends of the containers. Thus a. greater quantity ofadhesive is supplied to the rearward ends of the adhesive applyingsurfaces than to the forward ,ends thereof, and

The foregoing disadvantages-are obviated in valve plate 40 which issupported on the container bottom 35 for transverse sliding movement. Aseries of openings 4I are provided in the valveplate 40 and saidopenings are similar in size and spacing to the openings 31 in theAcontainer bottom 35. ,The valve plate 40 is retained in sliding relationwith the container bottom'by liner plates 38 and 33, which arerespectively mounted on the inner faces of the container sides 3| and 32as by spot welding. The lower edges of the liner plates 38 and 33terminate sufficiently above the container bottom 35, to permit themovement` of the valve plate 40, said plate being suiiiciently narrowerthan the space between the container' sides 3l and 32 to permit themovement of the plate openings 4I completely into and out ofregistration withA the corresponding series of openings 31 in thecontainer bottom 35. Furthermore, by positioning the"valve plateangularly, it will be obvious how -the rows of openings therein may bepositioned angularly over the corresponding rows of openings in thecontainer bottom so as to graduate the effective areas of the rows ofcontainer openings. The degree of graduation of the rows of containeropenings is determined by the angular position of the rows of valveplate openings thereover.

Independent means at opposite ends of the container II are` provided foradjusting the plate 40 sidewise with respect to the container bottom 35.Said means includes pins 42 and 43 which extend through the containerends 33 and 34 respectively. They carry discs 44 and 45 on their innerends and knurled adjusting knobs 45 and lll on their outer ends. Thediscs 44 and 45 carry pins 48, which extend 'onto openings 49 in theopposite ends of the adjustable plate 40 and serve to move the platesidewise upon manipulation of the adjusting knobs, all of which is shownclearest in Figures 2, 4, and 5 of the drawing. Obviously, either, orboth ends of the plate 40 may be. independently moved sidewise by.turning the knurled adjusting knobs.

It will further be obvious how all of the openings 4I in the bottom ofthe container may be uniformly restricted, or the rows of openingsprogressively restricted from one end of the container to the other,through the manipulation of one or the other, or both, of the adjustingknobs. In Figure 3 the openings 4I in the forward end of the adjustableplate l0 are shown in complete registration with the openings 3l in thebottom of the container Il. The rearward end of said adjusting plate islshown moved to one side so that the rows of openings 3l in the containerbottom are gradually restricted from the forward end of the container tothe rearward end thereof. Thus when the container is illled withadhesive material and raised to the angular position shown in Figure 1,it will be obvious how the graduated outlet openings eiect asubstantially uniform supply of the adhesive material to the adhesiveapplying surfaces 36 of the container, since the outlet openings aregradually restricted, corresponding to the variation in the fluid headwithin the container. Although the adjustment shown in Figure 3 might besuitable for accommodating an adhesive material of a certain viscosity,it might be altogether unsatisfactory for a uid having a dierentviscosity. However, through the angular adjustability of the plate itwill be obvious how adhesive materials of different viscosities may bereadily accommodated by-the adhesive applying device. K

In order to accommodate labels of di`erent widths, an adjustablepartition is provided within the paste container for making possible theapplication of adhesive to different sections of the adhesive applyingsurface of the container. The partition includes a plate 55 having aboss 56 which is threaded onto a threaded adjusting rod 58. A yieldablemember 51 formed of rubber or the like is clamped between the plate 55and a second plate 58 by screws 59, as shown clearest in Figure 2. Aslight space ,is provided between the side edges of the clamping plates55 and'58 and the liners 38 and 39 within the container. A slight spaceis also provided between the lower edges of the clamping members and thevalve plate 48. The resilient member extends beyond the outer edges ofthe clamping plates and forms a uid tight seal with the liners and alsowith the valve plate. The engagement of the yieldable member 5l with thevalve plate 40 facilitates in holding said plate inits adjustedposition. The ends of the threaded adjusting rod 50 are reduced as at 5Iand 52. The reduced portions extend through the end walls 33 and 34 ofthe container and carry knurled adjustingknobs 53 and 54 on their outerends. Thus the partition may be readily moved longitudinally of thecontainer on the adjusting rod by turning either of the knobs. 'Iheadhesive material is adapted to be contained between the partition andthe forward end 34 of the container. Obviously, the application ofadhesive to the adhesive applying surface 36 is confined to that sectionof said surface which underlies the body of adhesive, since any outletopenings behind said partition are rendered noncommunicative with thebody of adhesive. Thus, through the adjustment of the partition withrespect to the end wall 34, the application of adhesive may be confinedto different sections of the adhesive applying surface 36, I therebymaking possible the accommodation of labels of different widths.

In order to insure a uniform bearing relation between the adhesiveapplying surfaces of the paste containers and the labels, it ispreferable to yieldably mount the containers on their respectivesupporting members for angular movementV with respect thereto. This isaccomplished by pivotally connecting the outer ends of the supportingarms I2 and I3 to the inner sides of the respectivevpaste containers I8and I I through bolts 50, which extend through the supporting arms andare threaded into bosses formed on the inner sides of the containers.Plates 3l are oisposed rearwardly of said pivotal connections and aremounted in spaced relation to the inner sides of the paste containers onbosses 62 formed on the container sides. The plates are secured to saidbosses as by screws 63. Bolts 64 extend through the supporting arms I2and I3, and through the arcuate slots 65 formed in the plates 6I, theheads of said bolts being disposed between the plates and the containersides as shown clearest in Figure 3. The supporting arms are held infrictional engagement with the plates 6I through coil springs 6B, whichare positioned between the supporting arms and nut 6l threaded onto thebolts 64. Suitable frictional engagement may be maintained between thesupporting arms I2 and I3 and the container plates 6I, through theadjustment of the nuts 61, to maintain the paste containers in theiradjusted position and normally restrain them against movement abouttheir pivotal supports. However, if for any reason one end of eithercontainer engages therlabel Lstack in advance of its other end, it willbe obvious how the position. and protrudes from the mouths of saidopenings as heretofore described. When the containers are moved onto thelabel stack, the uppermost label adheres to the protuberances ofadhesive material and is lifted from the stack y when the containers aremoved therefrom. It will be obvious from the foregoing description howapplicant is able to maintain a substantially uniform application ofadhesive to the adhesive applying surfaces of the container by the useof his valve plate. It will further be obvious how this may beaccomplished when adhesive materials of different viscosities arecontained in the paste receptacles, through the simple adjustment of thevalve plate.

Although the invention is shown and described in connection with anapparatus for lifting labels and applying adhesive material thereto, itshould be understood that said invention might be equally useful inapplying adhesive material to any surface.

I claim:

1. In a device for applying a fluent adhesive to a surface, a containerfor the adhesive, an adhesive applying member carried by the container,means for swinging the container angularly toward a surface upon whichthe adhesive is to be tures through which adhesive is supplied from` thecontainer to the applying member, and means for ensuring that theadhesive will be uniformly supplied to the applying member from thecontainer through the series of apertures, comprisingmeans cooperativewith the apertures for so adjusting the effective areas of the series ofapertures that these areas are of non-uniform size.

3. In a device for applying a fluentA adhesive to a surface. a containerfor the adhesive, an adhesive applying member carried byv the container,means for swinging the container angularly toward a surface upon whichthe adhesive is to be applied, means forming a series of aperturesthrough which 'adhesive is supplied from the container to the applyingmember, means for ensuring that the adhesive will be uniformly suppliedto the applying member from the container through the series ofapertures, comprising a valve p`ate having a series of aperturescooperating with the first series yof apertures, and means for soadjusting said plate that the effective areas of the first series ofapertures are of non-uniform size. y

4. In a device for applylngva fluentadhesive toa surface, a containerfor the adhesive: an adhesive applying member carried by-the container,means for swinging the containerI angularly toward a surface upon whichthe adhesive is to be applied, means forming a series ofaperturesthrough whichYadhesive is lsupplied from the container to the'applyingmember. means for ensuring that the adhesive will be uniformly suppliedto the applying member from' the container through the series ofapertures, and means for rendering some of said aperturesnon-communicative with the adhesive in the container, whereby to preventthe application of adhesive to a portion of the adhesive applyingmember.

5. In a device for applying a fluent adhesive to a surface, a containerfor the adhesive, an adhesive applying member carried by the container,means for swinging the container angularly toward a surface upon whichthe adhesive is to be applied. means forming a series of aperturesthrough which adhesive is supplied from the container to the applyingmember, means for ensuring that the adhesive will be uniformly suppliedto the applying member from the container through the series 'ofapertures, and means for ensuring the uniform application of adhesivefrom the adhesive applying member to the adhesive receiving surface.

6. In a device for applying a fluent adhesive to a surface, a, containerfor the adhesive. said container having anv exterior adhesive applyingsurface, means for swinging the container angularly toward a surfaceupon which the adhesive is to be applied, means forming a series ofapertures through which adhesive is supplied to the adhesive applyingsurface from the container, a valve plate having a series of aperturescooperating with the first series of apertures, and means for adjustingsaid valve plate ,'40

for varyingtheenective areas of the first series of apertures.

7. In a device for applying a nuent adhesive to a surface, a movablysupported container for the adhesive material, said container having anexterior adhesive applying surface and a series of outlets Athroughwhich adhesive is supplied to said adhesive applying surface from thecontainer,'common valve means for varying the relative effective areasof the series of outlets in the container, and means for rendering someof the outlets non-communicative with the body of adhesive in thecontainer.

8. In a device for applying a fluent adhesive to a surface, a containerfor the adhesive, vsaid container having an exterior adhesive applyingsurface, means for swinging the container an-l gularly toward a surfaceupon which the adhesive is to be applied, means forming a series ofapertures in one side of the container through which adhesive issupplied to the adhesive applying surface from the interior of thecontainer, a valve plate disposed within the container and having aseries of apertures which cooperate with the apertures in the container,means for adjusting said valve plate for varying the effective areas ofthe container apertures, and lmeans for varying the confines for theadhesive within the container, whereby to prevent the application ofadhesive to a portion of the adhesive applying surface of the container.Y

9. Ina device for applying a fluent adhesive to a surface, aA movablysupported container for the adhesive material, said container having anexterior adhesive applying surface and a series amine@ of outletsthrough which adhesive is supplied to said adhesive applying surfacefrom the container, and common valve means for varying the relativeeiective areas of the series of outlets in said container.

10. In an adhesive applying and label lifting device, means forsupporting labels in stacked form, an adhesive container adapted to bepositioned angularly above said label stack and moved thereonto, saidcontainer having an adhesive applying surface and a series of aperturesleading thereto from its interior, a valve plate having aperturescorresponding to the container apertures and positioned adjacent theretofor relative movement, and means for so positioning the plate apertureswith respect to the container apertures as to establish a series ofgraduated outlets which increase in size from the lower end to thehigher end of said container when it is in its angular position, wherebyto eiect a substantially uniform application of adhesive to the adhesiveapplying surface and to the labels engaged and lifted thereby. y l' 11.A container having a series of apertures in one of its sides, a valveplate lsupported for sliding movement adjacent said container side andhaving a series of apertures therein corresponding to the series in saidcontainer side, and means for positioning'said valve plate at an anglewith respect to the container side, whereby to y render the effectiveareas of the 'series of apertures inthe container of non-uniform size.

12. A container having a series of apertures in one of its sides, avalve plate supported for sliding movement adjacent said container sideand having a series of apertures therein corresponding to the aperturesin said -container side, and means for adjusting either or both ends ofsaid valve plate with respect to the container side.

13. A container having a plurality of apertures in one of its sides, avalve plate supported adjacent said container side for sliding movementwith respect thereto, said valve plate having apertures thereincorresponding to the apertures in the container, means for adjustingsaid plate for varying the relative effective areas of the containerapertures, a partition within said container, means forming a uid tightseal between said partition and the container sides, and means foradjusting said partition.

14. A container having spaced rows of apertures in one of itsv sides, avalve plate supported adjacent said container side for sliding movementwith respect thereto, said valve plate having spaced rows of aperturescorresponding to the rows of apertures in said container, and means forpositioning the rows of plate apertures at an angle over thecorresponding rows of container apertures, whereby to establish rows ofgraduated -outlets from the interior'of said container.l

PAUL ARNDT.

